The key facts

  • A court in New Delhi on Saturday released Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, on conditional bail, according to Press Trust of India.
  • Dipke was detained ahead of a protest march near Connaught Place; earlier, two leaders of the movement were sent to jail for five days over an action at Jantar Mantar.
  • The protests are linked to the revision of voter rolls; the ruling BJP accuses the opposition and 'foreign forces' of attempting to destabilize the country.

Release on Bail

A court in New Delhi on Saturday granted bail to Abhijit Dipke, founder of the youth Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is at the forefront of protests against the removal of voters from the rolls. According to the Press Trust of India, the bail is conditional, and Dipke was required to sign a peace bond. Party leader Ratna Singh announced his release on X.

Detention

Dipke was detained by police on Friday ahead of a protest march planned by the party in Delhi's business center — Connaught Place — after which he was arrested.

Context of the Protests

The CJP, together with other opposition parties, has been holding mass actions for several days following last month's report that two election commissioners expressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar their concern over decisions on the revision of voter rolls in a number of states and union territories. The protesters demand Kumar's resignation.

Authorities' Reaction

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party stated that opposition parties and 'foreign forces' are trying to 'destabilize the country,' and accused the Congress of 'attacking constitutional institutions for the sake of power.'

Other Detentions

Earlier this week, a court in New Delhi sent two leaders of the 'cockroach' movement to jail for five days after their detention over a protest at Jantar Mantar, which authorities this week removed from the list of official protest venues.